According to the PTC line upgrade plans, a foot note is included that it is going to coincide with the Beverly Drawbridge replacement project starting July 15th or so.

There really is not much more info than this. Pretty much all info that can be found ays this project was suppose to take place last year.

Last night on the commute home from work, a group was discussing this on the train. Apparently one of them had talked to someone with inside information. Apparently the Newburyport / Rockport lines will be closed for 4 to 6 weeks north of Salem. Heard some talk about shuttle busses that wont go further than Beverly, and that since Salem has a big Garage they expect a lot of people to commute to Salem. Which will likely mean for people who live in Salem like me, if you don't get their early, the garage will be full. It's a 2 mile walk for me. I do it regularly when the whether is nice. But since this will be happening during July/August I'm sure there will be some pretty hot and muggy days where I don't want to walk 2 miles. Hate getting to work feeling like I just worked out at the gym and want to jump in the shower.

Anyone have more info on this project? Also heard there might be modified train schedules.

beverlydrawbridge.com wrote:The Cape Ann Transit Authority has offered in writing to assist the MBTA with alternative transportation. A copy of that letter is attached for your review.

The MBTA has advised us that a transportation mitigation plan is in development, and will be released soon. The MBTA plans to have public forums in early June to explain their mitigation plans and to explain how they will communicate those plans to the commuting public.

Summary: The T is running shuttle buses close to the normal train schedule, on both weekdays and weekends, though they only serve major stops.

Fares are also being waived beyond Zone 3 for the entire months of July and August - you can ride the shuttle buses all the way to Rockport or Newburyport, or the trains when they're running, for only a Zone 3 fare.

The highlight: ADA accessible bus shuttles (with WiFi and restroom facilities) that will make stops at every Commuter Rail station

I wonder how much this is costing, and who is paying??

Updated Newburyport/Rockport alternate transportation information is now available online for passengers affected by the replacement of the Beverly Drawbridge from July 17 - August 13.

Replacement of the Beverly Drawbridge, located between Salem and Beverly Depot stations, is scheduled from July 17 to August 13. During this time, there will be no weekday train service north of Salem Station. To help passengers make their way between the North Shore and Boston, the MBTA is running ADA accessible bus shuttles (with WiFi and restroom facilities) between Newburyport and Salem and between Rockport and Salem that will make stops at every Commuter Rail station.

During the months of July and August, Zone 3 monthly passes will be accepted at all stations north of Salem on the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Additionally, parking will be free at all stations north of Beverly Depot.

Detailed information, as well as the weekday diversion schedule with bus times, can be viewed by clicking on the Newburyport/Rockport Line homepage banner on mbta.com.

Newburyport/Rockport weekend bus schedule information is now available online for passengers affected by weekend Positive Train Control installation from July 8 - September 30.

The MBTA will install federally mandated Positive Train Control (PTC) systems along the Newburyport/Rockport Line to improve safety by reducing train collisions and derailments. This work will require weekend shutdowns on the entire line from July 8 through September 30. To help passengers travel between Boston and the North Shore, the MBTA is running ADA accessible bus shuttles (with WiFi and restroom facilities) that will make stops at every Commuter Rail station.

During this time, the special weekend fare will be $10 roundtrip, and Zone 3 or higher monthly passes will be accepted. Additionally, parking will be free at all stations north of Beverly Depot.

Detailed information, as well as the weekend diversion schedule with bus times, can be viewed by clicking on the banner on mbta.com.

This is a mixed blessing, because making all stops takes a LONG TIME. Just look at some of the rush hour trains, you have to get to your station as much as a whole HOUR earlier than you normally would to connect to your regular train - nearly doubling the commute. And the weekend bus trip times are also nearly double the train times from end-to-end.

And the train schedules are posted - the buses connect to trains at Salem. Looks like close to a full schedule.

Not much changes for Salem south during weekdays. I did a quick comparison between the bridge-outage schedule and the regular-service schedule and I can only see two trains that are cut: 110 and 168 - both inbound. Odd that no outbound trips are cut.

StefanW wrote:The highlight: ADA accessible bus shuttles (with WiFi and restroom facilities) that will make stops at every Commuter Rail station

I wonder how much this is costing, and who is paying??

$1.028 million. That's just Rockburyport this summer. The bigger news is that they're going to do bustitution for ALL PTC weekend shutdowns. That's $2.2 million for just the shutdowns this FY. More $$ next year...probably goes north of $4 million. See here: http://www.mbta.com/uploadedfiles/About ... df#page=11

Funding comes from the PTC capital budget. And bustitution was specifically NOT originally included as a line item in order to save $$. Now it's back in because of public outcry.

Bustitution being provided by private carrier motor coaches - not MBTA buses. Hence why you get WiFi and restrooms on each bus. I've read that the MBTA bus fleet is not adequate to provide bustitution (and I don't have or understand why - perhaps it's staffing issue more than actual equipment shortage?).

I believe the MBTA contract with the union protects union jobs but allows them to outsource expansion of service. Such as temporary bustitution. Otherwise they would be paying overtime and probably scrambling to find workers at the same time folks want to take vacation.